Interested in purchasing property in Italy? Or maybe you’re just interested in touring the properties for sale. Either way, check out Key Italy – The Italian Property Site to view country homes, farmhouses, villas, and even a few castles.

 

The Web site has a section on Regional Information, which gives a brief overview of the land, culture, types of homes available, and even the food of each region. In How to Buy in Italy, local terms for the types of property are listed along with an explanation of sottodichiarazione and the geomatra; and Your New Home introduces you to the ins and outs of taxes, utilities, insurance, and other day-to-day matters.

 

As you’re navigating the site, be sure to stop in Puglia and view the listings for trulli, the cone-shaped homes that have earned a listing from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

 

If you missed Sienna’s Il Palio, you still have time for an Il Palio experience. The town of Asti in the northern region of Piemonte is host to Palio di Asti, with ritual banquets, flag throwers, a blessing ceremony, and a historical procession of 1,200 dressed in medieval costumes; and then, there are the races. The event dates back to 1275, and although it might not be as well known as its counterpart, it has just as much to offer.

 

A fan of Pinocchio? Make plans to visit Collodi Park in Collodi, Tuscany. The town is the birthplace of Pinocchio’s creator, Carlo Collodi, who paid tribute to the town by adopting its name. A puppet workshop, exhibits, shows, and other entertainment – based on the original Italian version of Pinocchio – and a butterfly house and story garden are offered at the park.

 

From puppets to kings, Italy has it all; and in Rome a tribute to the first king of a united Italy sits close to Roman ruins and provides a panoramic view of the city. Il Vittoriano, the palatial monument to Victor Emmanuel II began construction in 1885 and was completed in 1911. Visitors can climb 196 steps or take the new glass and steel elevator to the Quadriga Terrace to take in the views.

 

Il Vittoriano (in Italian)

 

Il Vittoriano (also in Italian)

 

Photos of Il Vittoriano (scroll down)

 

To learn about more art and cultural events in Italy, visit What’s New in Italy.

 

Can Italian American Culture Be Saved? Anthony Maulucci, founder of Lorenzo Press, ponders that question in an article he wrote about Italian American authors. Maulucci notes that a society must embrace the work of its contemporary authors to understand its history.

 

Lorenzo Press is petitioning Amazon.com to create a subject category for Italian American literature. Amazon has separate categories for African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Jewish American, and Native American literature.

 

E-mail jeff@amazon.com, or write a letter to Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon.com, P.O. Box 81226, Seattle, WA 98108 and reference the “Lorenzo Press Campaign to Create a Separate Category for Italian American Literature.”

 

Seeds from Italy, a mail order distributor of traditional heirloom Italian varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, is the United States distributor for Franchi Sementi spa in Bergamo, Lombardia, producer of Franchi Seeds. Established in 1783, Franchi is a member of Slow Food, takes an active part in conservation, and its seeds have the approval of the Vegetarian Society in the United Kingdom.

 

A catalog is available on the Web site or by mail, and includes the sought-after lampascioni from Puglia, a wild onion that is the bulb of the tassel hyacinth; cardo selvatico, a flavorful wild cardoon from Sicily (rare and sold out for 2007); and wild fennel seeds that produce a flavorful leaf.

 

Subscribe to the newsletter and receive quarterly updates on seeds and bulbs, growing tips, recipes, and general information about Italian vegetables. Take some time to read the archived newsletters. Each contains valuable information to enhance your Italian garden,

 

Thirty-One Days of Italians is picking up momentum. The Press Release was sent to Italian media, organizations, and Web sites, and will be sent to national media in a few days. Another Press Release with a name for each day in October will be sent in a few weeks. In the last week of September, and each week after, a Press Release will be sent containing the names and a brief bio of the Italians and Italian Americans to be honored the following week. My hope is that some newspapers will set aside a small amount of space to print a bio for each day in October, Italian American Heritage Month.

 

Last month I mentioned that I had been invited to Italy to speak about Con Amore and Italian food in America. The invitation has been extended again. A few days ago I received an e-mail from the same gentlemen – he’s a member of an association of food artisans in Modena (home of balsamic vinegar) in Emilia-Romagna (home of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma).

 

He wrote that he found Con Amore “very interesting” and “it is a perfect way to promote our country.” He also wrote that he has a weekly telecast on Telestudio-Studio Europa and he talked about Con Amore and  “dedicated your book on all transmission during the August month.” Con Amore mentioned on Italian television! I guess an Italian translation of the book will have to be made available. He concluded with “I am interested to have you in my telecast and to present your book or to present book in a public conference.” It may be time to apply for a passport.

 

Visit my Web site to order your personalized copy of Con Amore.

 

For those of you who have been wondering about my Web site update and e-newsletter Simply Elegant, both will be available by October. I’ve had computer problems (hard drive replaced) and now some browser problems, but I am slowly getting everything resolved.

Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita
Janice Therese Mancuso
Author of Con Amore

www.jtmancuso.com
Thirty-One Days of Italians